Infusion of 50% glucose solution before injection of ethanolamine oleate during balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.

The feasibility of infusion of 50% glucose solution before balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) to occlude collateral vessels draining gastric varices other than gastrorenal shunt was evaluated. In five patients with such collateral vessels, 50% glucose solution was infused from the balloon catheter inflated within the gastrorenal shunt. The degree of collateral vessels had decreased when BRTO was carried out so that sclerotic agents sufficiently occupied the gastric varices in all patients. In three patients, embolization of collateral vessels with coils was unnecessary. There were no complications. In conclusion, retrograde infusion of 50% glucose solution assists in effectively carrying out BRTO.